Feedback Needed - Caveats of the 1700s

[DragonLady58]

Originally Posted by VulcanJeff

As a long time 1500 Classic owner, I don't spend any time hanging around the bigger displacement lounge, you might say

I'm hoping I can get some feedback from you all about the nature of the 1700cc bikes. The 15s and 16s seems to have their clutch woes, cam chain tensioner woes, front master cylinder return hole clog woes and so on. What kind of stuff goes on with the 1700s?

OK, I gather you might be gathering info, maybe feeling out getting a newer bike....just curious....etc.
The 1700 is a completely redesign of the 1500/1600 engine, a upgrade if you will.
Its a completely diff. animal, is about what can be taken away from this....
If you can imagine that the 1500/1600 is sat right beside the 1700 engine, both having a Vaquero frame and body....
The 1700 only needs 2 things and 2 things only....You know the 1500/1600s are totally floundering until you desmog the engine, put coasters on, a custom intake and some exhaust, and a tuner?
Imagine a tuner or a reflash for the 1500/1600 engine that straightens all that out....
Thats what the Ivan flash is to the 1700. That, and readjust your return throttle cable, and your rear drive belt....
The 1700 is head and shoulders above the 1500/1600 as far as just jumping on, riding, and going cross country.
The 1500/1600s have alot more personality....they are bikes that like to have hands laid on them, they respond well to the personal touch of the owner.


Get the 1700 bikes if you like to top off fluids, wash, wipe her down, throw your leg over her, and ride on 3000+ miles at a time....with never a belch or rattle....
The 1500/1600 needs you to nuture it, love on it, pet it.
The 1700 doesn't need that....Hope and pray to god that the 1700 wiring doesn't give out and the 1700 engine doesn't need repairing, its made to be ridden, with minimum of fuss....the 1700 doesn't need fuss, it just needs you and the open road....


If you have a 1500/1600, as long as its rattling, thumping, thudding, its alive and happy. Start worrying when you cant't hear all that going on.
The 1700 is smooth, quiet, powerful with the Ivans flash a few miles under her belt, belt and throttle cables adjusted, the intake and exhaust of your liking. Start worrying when you can hear anything going on with the engine....Complete personality opposites...